Liquid flow apparatus



AUK- 5, 1935. I M. c. SCHWAB 2,010,417

LIQUID FLOW APPARATUS y 4 sheets-Sheet 2 M. c. SCHWAB LIQUID FLOW APPARATUS Filednov. 1v, 195s .llllllllllllllllnlnllllll l Aug. 6,

Aug. 6, 1935. M. c. SCHWAB LIQUID FLOW APPARATUS 4 sheets-sheet 3 Filed Nov. 17, 1933 Aug. 6, 1935. M. c. scHwAB 2,010,417

A LIQUID FLOW APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F/GS f the entire contents of the container.

. vention; Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the exten-l Patented Aug. v6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

Where apparatus is used to withdraw liquid' from a container it has been customary to use It is a well known fact that foreign bodies and other impurities tend to sink toward the bottom and outlet of the container. Naturally these impurities will flow out with the liquid and may cause serious results. This commercial apparatus is also applicable yfor efficient handling of liquids in laboratories, hospitals and other places where medication is provided free from foreign bodies and contamination. n

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a trap so that this' bottom portion of the liquid will impound these foreign bodies in suspension and will never be drained off. My structure at theV same time that it provides this trap will also act as a measuring device adjustable as to amount permitting the pouring off of a predetermined measure of liquid. My structure also supplies pure air or gas free from foreign bodies to break the vacuum in a container; provides a liquid trap for washing the air or gas that passes from the atmosphere, or gas supply, to the container; creates adjustable air and liquid tubes; provides means for supplying air to break vacuum in container .above liquid level; supplies a sediment chamber for impounding foreign bodies; allows extensions for the liquid flow means; provides air, gas and liquid tubes withA valve means operable from without the container; creates liquid trap means for impounding such foreign bodies in the air or gas, and such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully-appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have suggested herein preferred embodiments of my invention yet I wish it under- Jstood that the same are susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of my invention and Fig. 2 a more detailed view of the same embodiment; Figs. 3, 4' and 5 are sectional views of other embodiments of my insions; Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are detailed views of valve means; and Figs. 11 and 12 are detailed views of an embodiment.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention in Figs. 1 and 2, a container I0 having screw threads II is joined to a connecting member I2, said screw threads II meeting screw threads I3 on the connecting member I2. Any other suitable engaging means may, of course, be employed. My connecting member I2 has a well I4, and inside near the top a seat I5 for holding a washer I6. This seat I5 and washer I6 act to relieve the weight of the container Il)1 on the screw threads II and I3. At one side of said connecting member I2 is a boss I'I having an air passage way I8 leading into the well I 4. A liquid ow tube I9 passes through an opening 20 at the bottom of the connecting member I2 and has attached to its lower end a hollow carrying member 2| which in turn is connected to a feeding or dispensing member 22. The liquid flow tube I9 extends upwardly and into the container I0 a desired distance and is held in fixed position by means of an adjustable packing nut 23 or otherv suitable adjustable holding means. I provide the liquid ow tube I9 with markings 24 which indicate the amount of liquid to be withdrawn when each marking is reached. By loosening the adjustable packing nut 23 the liquid flow tube may be moved as far up in the container I0 as desired. The farther up in the container the liquid ow tube I9 is inserted, the

less will be the amount of liquid withdrawn because when the liquid level is below the mouth of the liquid now tube I9 it cannot be drawn out. I may also'use a liquid flow tube I9 to which may be joined extensions 25 by screw threads 25, friction or any suitable means. The extensions 25 also have markings 24 to indicate the amount of liquid their use will permit to be withdrawn. The extensions 25 may also be of varied diameters as shown in Fig. 6.

For purposes of illustration let us assume the use of the above embodiment for an intravenous injection. The container I0 contains a supply of liquid. A certain quantity of the liquid is to be injected into the patient. The adjusting nut 23 is loosened and the liquid flow tube I9 is moved upwardly in the container tothe point where one of the markings 24 indicates that kthe desired amount has been reached. The needle-22 is then placed in the patient and the apparatus is ready for operation. Air, or gas from a gas supply 39, comes in through air passage way I8 down into well I4 and up into container I0 where it breaks the vacuum in the container I 0 and .permits the as a measuring device for the withdrawal of a predetermined amount of liquid and also as a liquid trap. When the liquid has reached a level holds in suspension any foreign bodies that have fallen into the liquid. Naturally, comparatively all particles such as glass, or other foreign matter, will-fall to the bottom and will be lodged in the liquid trap at the bottom of the well I4 which may be termed a sediment chamber 2'I. This liquid in the sediment chamber Z'I can never be drained off to reach the patient.'

In the embodimentselected to illustrate my invention in Figs. 3 and 4 the container I il havinglscrew threads II is. joined to a connecting member I2, said screw threads II meeting screw threads I3 of the connecting member I2. Any

.other suitable engaging means may, of c'ourse,

be employed. My connecting member I2 has a hollow portion I4 and inside near the top a seat I5 for holding a washer I6. This seat I5 and washer It act to relieve the weight of the container I0 on the screw threads II and I3. An air, or gas, receiving tube 28 having an air, or gas, passage way 29 leads from the atmosphere, or a gas supply 39, down into wash tube 3G which is filled,I or partly illled, with liquid. Extending upwardly from the wash tube 30 is an air, or gas, conduit 3i held in position by a packing nut .32. By unloosening nut' 32, conduit 3i maybe detached. Continuing upwardly from packing nut 32 is air inlet tube 33 which extends up into packing nut 34 wherein air inlet tube 33 is ysurrounded by larger liquid flow tube 35. Air inlet tube 33 surrounded by liquid ow tube 35 continues upwardly to packing nut 36; thence upwardly into the bottom 20 of connecting member I2;`through connecting member 'I2 and into container Iii. Air inlet tube 33 may be adjusted by manipulation of packing nut 34 and the height of liquid ow tube 35 may be determined by adjustment of packing nut 36. It is understood that wherever a gas supply is substituted for the atmosphere, gas- 1n the container lo containing liquid, the liquid will .not begin to pour until the vacuum in the container is broken. Through the air receiving member 29 lair comes from the atmosphere, or from the gas supply, into wash tube 30 where the air is washed and foreign bodies held in the liquid. The air then goes up through air conduit 3| and .air inlet tube 33 through connecting member I2 up to near the top o1' container I3. 'I'he air dis- J charges at this point so that the liquid is forced down through the liquid flow tube 35 which sur- `rounds air inlet tube 33. The liquid passesdown to a point above packing nut 34 where it passes Out through liquid Outlet tube 31. -I may, 0f

` course, provide for a plurality of liquid outlet tubes n. n wlllbe geen innig. 3 that the air inlet tube 33 has been adjusted so that it discharges near the top of the liquid. There is, therefore, no turbulance in the liquid because the air explosions are above the liquid. Furthermore', the entering air does not come in contact with the liquid to be dispensed at all except at the very top. It does not mix up foreign bodies in the liquid as it might if it passed through the liquid. If there should b'e any foreign bodies which have passed through the liquid trap provided in wash tube 30 these foreign bodies fwill drop through the liquid flow tube 35 past the liquid outlet tube 3l and down into sediment 'chamber 35.

Another embodiment as shown in Fig. 5 discloses a container I0 havingl screw threads II joined to the screw threaded cap BFI of a wash tube 30. An air, or gas, inlet tube 33 extends from thegbottom of said wash tube 36 to the ccntainer I0. Within said air, or gas, inlet tube 33 is fa liquid ilow tube 35 which extends from a desired point within the container Ill and at its other end to a hollow tubing 2l and dispensing member 22. An air, or gas, receiving tube 28 extends outwardly at either side of said wash tube 30 to the atmosphere, or a-gas supply 39. The air, or gas, enters the receiving tube 23 which tube extends downwardly towards the bottom of the wash tube 3@ where. the air, orgas, passes into the liquid in the washtube Si?. The air, or gas, passes through the liquid and leaves foreign matter and other bodies in suspension in the liquid. The air or gas then passes upwardly through the liquid to an opening 4I in the inlet tube 33 and thence through opening 1I in the liquid dow tube 35 upwardly into the container III where it breaks the vacuum and allows the liquid 'to ilow through the liquid ow tube 35. to the dispensing member 22. Said inlet tube 33 and said liquid ow tube 35 are adjustable with reference to eachother so that the height of tube 35 may be varied within the container Itl.

The lowermost portion of theI inlet tube 33 in this view may be provided with a packing assembly surrounding the liquid now tube 35 and such packing as the packing member 23, shown in Figuresl and 2, may be readily used, as will be apparent and understood.

l may ilnd it desirable to have more` than one opening 4I and' place them as desired both for allowing liquid to ow from the container I3 'to the air inlet tube and thence through opening 4I to thewash tube 30 and to allow air, or gas, to enter the container Iii. I may also find it desirable to have more than one receiving tube 23 as shown at the right corner of Fig. 5.

I nd it desirable in some instances to use valve means to control the operation of my structure and to close both or either the air, or gas, inlet tube 33 iand the liquid flow tube 35 as shown morespecically in Figures 7 to 10. Wherever the air inlet tube (applicant intends to. include gas also wherever air` is mentioned) extends beyond the liquid flow tubeI may use thefollowing valve means:

I surround the top opening of the inlet tube 33 by a cage 42 within which is placed a ball 43.

The ball 43 is of such a size and weight as tonormally rest on the opening Aof the inlet tube 33. To prevent breakage of the top of the inlet tube 33 I provide a seat 44 to help support the weight of the ball 43. When the structure is ready for operation the air passing up into the inlet vtube 33 will automatically, force the Vball' 43 oi! the opening where it will remain until the air ceases to come through the inlettube. The cage 42 prevents the ball from falling into the container I0. When the air iiow is stopped the ball 43 will drop by its weight down against the opening of.

an inlet tube 33 'and seal the same. 5 Another form of valve means for the air inlet tube 33 comprises a stopper 45 which is conical in shape and has its pointed end normally fitting down into and closing the top opening of the inlet tube 33. This stopper 45 is connected by' a rod 45 which extends down through the inlet tube 33 -to a cam 41 which in turn is connected to a bar 48 which is operated by a. handle 49. By operation of the handle 49 the bar 48 will turn the cam 41 which will raise the rod 45 and push the stopper 45 free from the opening of inlet tube 33. A reverse turn of the handle 49 will kreverse the cam and pull down the rod so es to seal the opening of inlet tube 33..

I may also use this form of valve on a liquid flow tube where .the liquid flow tube extends above the air inlet tube or at a point where it is not surrounded or within the air inlet tube.

Where the liquid iiow tube 35 surrounds the air inlet tube 33, as' shown in Fig. 9, a screw threaded upper ferrule 52 is xed to the air inlet tube 33. Below said upper ferrule 52 screw threaded lower ferrule 50 is attached to said liquid fiosv tube 35 so as to leave an opening 5I for the admission of liquid from the container I into liquid flow tube`35. When it` is desired to close this opening |,1either air inlet tube 33 or liquid flow tube 35 may be rotated until the opening 5I is closed and liquid flow tube 35 is sealed soA as to prevent the admission of liquid thereinto. 35 A different embodiment shown in Fig. l0 comprises a. valve structure in which the uppei seat 52 of the valve is `lined to the air inlet tube 33 and the lower seat 53 of the valve is secured to the liquid ow tube A35. Both the upper and lower seats 52 and 53 have a plurality of holes 54. When it is desired that the structure operate the air inlet tube 33 is rotated until the holes 54 in the upper and lower seats 52 and 53 are opposite each other. It is apparent that all o1' my o valve structures are operable from without the container and that they may be closed or opened without ever disturbingthe liquid within.

In the embodiments of Figures 'l to 10, the

packing and dispensing connections and the 50 connections of the container Ill have not been illustrated as it will be readily understood that thesedetails are supplied by the other views and may be utilized to complete the assemblies with these constructional features.

As a variation to` the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, I may provide, as shown in Fig. l1, that the air, or gas, receiving tube 28 be integral with the wash tube `3|) and extend from the atmosphere, or gas supply, 39, diagonally towards the bottom of wash tube 3o. I may also provide va screw threaded closure 55 for the opening 55 of the receiving tube 28, and also another screw threaded closure 5l for an opening 58 adjacent the bottom of receiving tube 28. In Fig. 1l it will be noticed that the liquid flow tube withdraws the entire contents of the container ex- .fcept that in the wash tube 30 unless it'is provided with a removable liquid ilow tube extenson SII.v The position of the liquid ow tube is 7o iixed and is not adjustable. Neither is there any provision for an adjustable air .inlet tube. Fig. 12 shows the bottom 59 of the wash tube screw threaded to receive a stung box through which may pass adjustable liquid flow tube and air tube. `When the adjustable liquid lic-w tube is Apoint in the used it may be positioned at any point within the container.

-sired point in the container to the dispensing member and .an inlet tube within 'said liquid iiow tube, said inlet tube being adjustable in relation to said iiow tube and leading from a desired point in the container to the atmosphere ortoagassupply.

2. In combination with a containeiyhaving liquid to dispense and a dispensing member,` a liquid flow tube leading from the container to the dispensing member and an inlet tube within said liquid ilow tube and leading from said container to the atmosphere, or to a gas supply, said liquid flow tube and said inlet tube both being adjustable with relation to each other so that either Ytube may be raised or lowered togany desired height in the container.

3. In a liquid flow apparatus vfor the administration lofiluids of the character herein described. the combination with a container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, a cap removably `xed to said container, an adjustable liquid flow tube leading from a desired point in the container through said cap to the dispensing member and an adjustable inlet tube within said liquid iiow tube said inlet tube being adjustable in relation to. said flow tube and leading from a desired point in the container through said cap to the atmosphere, or to a gas supply.

4. In combination wit-h a container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, a receiving tube leading from the atmosphere, or from a gas supply, to a wash tube containing liquid, an adjustable inlet tube leading from said wash tube to said container and an adjustable liquid flow tube surrounding said inlet tube and leading from said container to said dispensing member.

5. In combination with a container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member. a cap removably fixed to said container, a receivlng tube leading from the atmosphere, or from a gas supply, to a wash tube containing liquid. an adjustable inlet tube leading from said wash tube to said container through said cap and an adjustable liquid ilow tube surrounding said inlet tube and leading from said container through said cap to said dispensing member.

6. In combination with a container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, an adjustable liquid flow tube inserted a desired distanc'e within the container so as to draw 01T liquid above the mouth of said tube and leave the liquid lying below the mouth of said tube for holding foreign bodies held therein in suspension, said liquid flow tube leading to the dispensing Likewise when an adjustable air in. Vlet tube is used. In this case the air receiving member and an inlet tube within said liquid mosphere, or from a gas supply, to a point above the level of the liquid in the container so that the air, or gas, will not pass through the liquid.

'7. Inl combination with a container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, an adjustable liquid ilow tube leading from a desired container to thedispensing member,

sediment chamber wherein heavy foreign bodies may fall and be withheld from the dispensing member.

8. Liquid flow apparatus comprising an inverted container having liquid to dispense, a dispensing member, a hollow cap removably connected to the open end of said container, said cap `having a boss with an upwardly and out wardly directed passageway, said passageway leading from the atmosphere, or from a gas supply, to the hollow interior of said cap, a liquid iiow tube leading through an opening in the bottom of said cap to a desired point within the container so that liquid in said cap acts as an impounder of foreign bodies and cannot be withdrawn, said liquid iow'tube leading at its other end to the dispensing member.

9. In combination with a, container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, a receiving tube leading from the atmosphere, or from a gas supply, to a wash tube containing liquid, van adjustable liquid flow tube leading from a desired point in thecontainer to the dispensing member and an adjustable inlet tube surrounding a portion of said liquid tube and leading from said wash tube to said container said inlet tube having an opening within said wash tube for receiving the `air, or gas, fromthe wash tube and thence passing the same through an opening in the liquid flow tube to the container.

10. In combination `with a,v container having liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, a receiving tube leading from the atmosphere, or from a gas supply, to a wash tube containing liquid,

an adjustable liquid flow tube leading from 'the container to the dispensing member, an adjust-- -liquid to dispense and a dispensing member, a receiving tube leading from the atmosphere, or from a gas supply, to a wash tube containing liquid, said wash tube attached to said container, a liquid flow tube having an opening, said liquid flow tube leading from the container to the dispensing member, an inlet tube surrounding a portion of said liquid flow tubeand within said wash tube, said inlet tube leading from said container and having an opening at a point within said Wash tube for admitting air, or gas, and also forpermitting liquid fromthe container to flow into said lwash tube and act as a sediment chamber for for- Jeign bodies.

12. Liquid flow apparatus comprising an inverted container having liquid to dispense av dispensing member, a liquid flow tube leading from the container to the dispensing member, an

a stopper having a pointed end of suicient size to normally nt down into the open end of said inlet tube and seal the same, said stopper connected to a rod, said rod operable by a handle through a cam to raise said stopper and expose the open end of said inlet tube.

13. Liquid ow apparatus comprising an inverted container having liquid to dispense, a dispensing member, a liquid flow tube leading from a-desired point in the container to the dispensing member, an air, or gas inlet tube, a stopper having a pointer end of sufcient size to normally fit down into the open end of said liquid ow tube and seal the same, said stopper connected to a rod, said rod operable by a handle through a cam to raise said stopper and expose the open end of said liquid flow tube.

' 14. Liquid iiow apparatus comprising a container having liquid to dispense, a dispensing member, a hollow cap removably attached to the openend of said container and having a central liquid passage communicating with said open end, and an air wash tube containing liquidA surrounding said central liquid passage, said cap having a boss with a passageway leading from the atmo;phere, or from a gas supply, to the bottom of said air Wash tube, so that air, or gas, coming into said air wash tube loaves foreign bodies within said air washtube as said air, or gas, passes upwardly and through an opening adjacent the top of the air washtube into the central liquid passage.

15. Liquid iiow apparatus comprising a containcr having liquid to dispense, a dispensing member, a hollow cap removably attached to the open end of said container and having a central liquid passage communicating with said open end, an adjustable liquid flow tube placed within said liquid passage and leading from a desired point in the container to the dispensing member, and an air wash tube containingliquid surrounding central liquid passage, said cap having a boss with a passageway leading from the atmosphere,A

or from a gas supply, tothe bottom of said air wash tube, so that air, or gas, coming into said air Wash tube leaves foreign bodies Within-said air wash tube as said air, or gas, passes upwardly and through an opening adjacent the top of the air wash tube into the central liquid passage.

16. In a liquid flow apparatus for the administration of fluids, of the character herein described, the combination with a containerhav- 'ing liquid to dispense and a dispensing member for connection therewith for dispensing the liquid by inversion of the container as an unbroken column of iiuid, a liquid ow tube leading from a desired point in the container to the dispensing 

